The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-12
PRISON LABOR.
Mississippi's Convict Reform.
Report of the Board of Control OF
the Peniteutiary.
It's Recommendation to the Next
State Legislature.
The Appeals Paper on "Prison
Labor" in Good Time.
The Report of the Board Rather Brief
and but One General Remedial
Plan for Reform
Suggested.

lature of Mississippi, 10y act approved
March H. 1886, created the railroad
commission board OF control of the
penitcntiary. Section 10 Of said act ~,
quips that said board OF control shall
carefully examine into the matter OF the
discipline and management of the pvni-
Tertiary and investigate the general ques-
ton of prison management, and lay be-
fore the next Legislature plan by which
the State shall be enabled 10 exercise di-
rect control and exclusive management OF
the pcnitentiary and conyicts,' In COM
pliancc with said statute, the said board
has in its report OF acts and doings in con-
ncction with the penitentary submitted
the following
"Tho problem presented for solution Is
one iraught with many difficulties, and
one which has been source of trouble, we
imagine, TO all civilized countries aud com
munitics. The experience OF other States
throw but little light upon the subject.
The dfilercn, legislatures Of the state OF
Mississippi have attempted to devise
ways and means 10 punish and protect its
convicts, and up TO this time have failed
TO fall upon plan which is satisfactory.
The present system has been much criti-
cised, but those critici-ing have tailed 10
suggest a practical plan.
"This board has, however after having
given the matter much thought and con-
sideration, concluded, In compliance with
the requirements Of said act, TO make the
following recommendations, fearing, how
ever, that the end desired may not be- fully
realized:
81 There should he o board oi control
/ charged with the general supervision Of
! the pcnitcntiary and conyicts, clothed
| with full authority 10 manage and dispose
/ Of the same upon such terms as the lPgis-
! laturc may deem proper aud wise.
'2 The guarlsand an connected with
| the management thereof should he ap.
pointed by sud boarl Of control, aud I've
subject 10 discharge by Tir bourl for iail
uro Ia perform such duIcs ~ may b. pre-
scribcd. These guards and all ohci en.
ploycs should BE- paid out Of the state
treasury, and the employees should not
! have To look 10 the lcsces for their paw. 4
limit Ia sSarcs 10 be paid should be
! fixed 10y the legislature.
80. 4 small iarm near Jackson should
| be, obtained upon which such cOnyicts
~ are not able bodied and OF sufficient
strength 30 bc employed ON public works
can be- engaged in cultivaiing peas, corn,
/ potatoes and other articles OF food for con.
sumption 10y the prisoners.
II. There should be- provided nj the
walls such facilities Tor manufacturing.
rahinct-making, smithing, wagon making,
/ clrpcntcring, shuc-mnkug. tailoring etc
~ will employ all conyitts whose time NJ
service u Tor u long term. This work
should, We think, be confined, ~ nearly ns
! practicable, Ia the making Of such articles
~ are to b. used Ia the pcnitcniimy,
| thereby avoiding N much as possible
competition with free labor. In thu way
IN opportunity would u, given u prisoner
TO learn n trade by which be could bo
useful 90 himself ~ a citizen after his term
OF service expires, aud in addition prevent
| those who are most liable to escape from
| doing IN. Cunvicts serving long sentences
should under no circums lnccs be- worked
outside the walls II ilc State expects 10
enforce the penalties imposed byits courts.
IS. The ablc.bodicd c1nyicts, ~ pro.
nounccd upon examination by thC poni.
N'llllNlN IllAN NlNililf WV HI' NRt FNlNA'li'il
for life or for long terms, might bc en-
ploycd on public works la the conyicls are
At this time, or such othpr public works ~
the Legislature deems proper, under con.
tract Ia be- made by tho board Of control
within the limits 10 be- designated 10y
law, the contract 10 puyidc for the pay.
mcnt 81 stipulated price for work per.
formed 10y the conyiCis underline exclusive
control and managcmcr Ol the agents Of
the State.
"fhc fund ariingfrom this source, from
the proceeds oi the work shops NJ The pen.
itcniiary, aud from such surplus II food
crops ~ might be grown on the pcniicn.
tiary farm, 20 constitute o. fund io be kept
separate In the State Treasury a. be- applied
10 the expenses Of the peullcnllary.
'Ihc details OF the general plan above
suggested 10 be- provided ior by Legislative
enactment, and such rules and regulation
In conformity thereto, % may b. adopted
by the board Of control, prescribing sucl
disciplinary agencies, both dcicpnian r.
formatory, ~ may be- deemed advisable Il
secure the iniliction 81 the penalties pre-
gcribcd by law, control ihc oDnyicts ant
prevent abusive or improper treatment